The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

Although Blue Earth Government hoped everyone, especially Lihua who was already familiar with the situation, would go, they ultimately stayed at the villa on Otto's advice.

After all, aside from Lihua, most of the people at the villa were ordinary people with no combat experience. One professional wrecker is worth more than ten professional negotiators—and everyone left at the villa, except Lihua, fell into the latter category.

At least they didn't need to worry about safety here. With so many Valkyries, Herrschers, and even previous-era MANTIS warriors present, Blue Earth could probably drop a nuke and barely scratch them…

"They actually left… Seeing how excited you were earlier, I thought those three wouldn't leave your side no matter what," Raiden Mei said.

"Mei, you're teasing me again. We're all independent individuals. How could we be in a situation where we can't live without each other?" Lihua turned to look at Raiden Mei behind her. "And you guys aren't dangerous… You're probably not going to suddenly choke me out, right?"

"Who would do something like that—" Raiden Mei initially thought Lihua was joking, but then she remembered being choked by a Herrscher-ified Kiana back in the day… Fortunately, Lihua didn't notice her subtle expression and continued, "Besides, they're all strong people… They just made some mistakes in the past."

Mistakes is an understatement. Judging from her interactions with them over the years, they didn't exactly strike her as "independent individuals."

They all grew up in the same era, even received similar education, so why couldn't those three learn a thing or two from Lihua's exemplary character? Mei sighed internally.

Remembering past events filled Raiden Mei with emotion. Lihua had apologized for Otto and the others, almost kneeling to beg forgiveness and a chance at redemption… Going so far for sins she wasn't directly responsible for was truly admirable.

It also helped Mei understand Otto and the others' feelings, and why this saintess remained prominent in Schicksal's history for 500 years.

Thank goodness I reacted quickly and stopped Lihua. If she had actually knelt, who knows what Otto and the others would have done… Thinking of this, she wondered how Elysia and the others were doing in the Elysian Realm.

Mei forced a smile. "Are you really sure you want to atone for their actions?"

"Sins, once born, can never be erased… So-called atonement is even more meaningless than closing the barn door after the horse has bolted," Lihua said, her eyes downcast. "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try, even if it only slightly soothes the victims' wounds."

"But you didn't do any of that."

"Perhaps not directly, but it all stemmed from me…" Lihua turned to gaze at the clear blue sky outside, a complex smile playing on her lips. "Everyone else can resent them, but I can't."

This person is so stubborn. Seems like I can't change her mind… Mei sighed inwardly and turned to the others who had remained silent. "Kiana, why haven't you guys said anything?"

"Well, how do I put this…" Kiana, who had been staring at Lihua, finally snapped out of it and scratched her head sheepishly. "Seeing my ancestor in person feels weird, kind of amazing… It's strange. She looks so much like Aunt Theresa but feels completely different."

"But either way, she feels much more approachable than that other look-alike big sister we met earlier!"

Well, the 'approachable' part is obvious. Lihua wasn't surprised by Kiana's friendliness. After all, they had exchanged less than ten sentences, and Kiana's affection for her was already catching up to Mei's, who had known her for so long…

It wasn't just Kiana. Even the seemingly more composed Durandal, who had barely spoken to Lihua, seemed drawn to her. Is this the legendary Kaslana blood connection?

But the most extreme case was Theresa, who wasn't even a Kaslana. Although she appeared calm, sipping her bitter melon juice, her eyes kept darting towards Lihua every few seconds.

And her affection level had reached a terrifying level five—despite barely speaking to Lihua.

Lihua could guess the reason. Theresa was a clone/homunculus created from her genes, so in a way, she was her mother.

It was perfectly normal for Theresa, who never had a mother, to feel affection upon meeting her "mother," but she probably didn't know how to express it.

If Lihua had to comment, although Theresa looked very similar to her current self, she wasn't much like her younger self—Otto and the others had raised her too well; she lacked that malnourished look. But it's probably for the best that children don't have that kind of look.

Seeing Theresa so focused on her that she didn't even notice the bitter melon juice dripping down her straw and onto her face, Lihua chuckled and walked over.

"Wh-Wh-What are you—"

As Theresa stammered nervously, Lihua took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her face. "Be careful with the straw."

"Oh, um…" Theresa stared blankly at Lihua's gentle smile as she wiped her face, feeling a little dazed.

It was a strange feeling… Unlike the care she received from Otto, Kallen, and Eleanor, this was a gentler warmth that resonated deep within her heart.

Like—like the legendary motherly love!

That's right! Since I was born from Lihua's genes, then Lihua is my mother! It's perfectly normal to feel motherly love!

From today onwards, can I finally say I have a mom?!

"Mo…"

Hearing Theresa's unintentional murmur, Lihua's smile turned a little awkward. Don't tell me she's going to pull a sudden family reunion scene here? While our relationship could be described that way, I was only in my twenties when I died. I don't need a forty-something-year-old daughter…

Fortunately, perhaps because Kiana and the others were present, and mindful of her image, Theresa didn't shout "Mom!" and burst into tears, clinging to Lihua's leg. Lihua breathed a sigh of relief.

"By the way, where are the other Immortal Phoenix and your companions?"

"Mom's still recovering from her injuries, and Bronya's glued to her computer gathering information," Kiana replied thoughtfully. "As for the other Immortal Phoenix, you mean Captain, right? I think she's playing that game about our past—"

"Kiana, Mei, are you alright?"

Just then, a red figure descended the stairs. Seeing everyone safe and sound, she spoke with relief. It was Fu Hua.

Her eyes fixed on Lihua, a flicker of something passing through them before settling back into a kind smile. "Miss Lihua, it's been a while…"

"Indeed. It must have been several centuries for you." Lihua was relieved that Fu Hua hadn't immediately attacked her. Looks like the 500-year cooldown period had some effect.

"Captain, we were just talking about you! How's the game?" Kiana greeted Fu Hua cheerfully. "Isn't it a game about your past?"

"Game? Is there such a thing?" Fu Hua looked completely puzzled, clearly having no idea what Kiana was talking about.

Seeing Fu Hua's reaction, Lihua immediately had a hunch. Oh ho ho, ten to one her memory's been wiped again. The Immortal plays games fast…